Just picked my expedition yesterday. this morning i took if for its maiden voyage..very impressed this little 600 efi i dont belive is 85 hp. i think its more than that. on a lake today under less than ideal conditions i had my sled up to 137 km/hr!!!!! amazing sled . i thought it would be a dog with 85 hp and 154 track..boy was i wrong.. people looking at 2021 skidoos should not be fooled by the 85 hp .skidoo is onto something with this amazing motor..rock on skidoo!!!!!!
I agree 100%. My only fear is these new 'Sport' models perform so well, and are such a great value they'll eat into sales of the more expensive models, forcing Ski-Doo to further de-tune them in the future. I haven't done a speed run on mine yet. Do you think 137 is the top speed, or is it just the speed you happened to reach? We don't have enough snow for me to make another action video of the sled right now, so I made an instructional explaining how to remove and reinstall the upper bodywork. I was a bit intimidated by the process at first, but now I can do it in a few minutes. czcams.com/video/qsRA-84wsU0/video.html
Thanks for the review. I have the same sled but haven’t been able to try it yet due the lack of snow in the area. I have owned a 2007 550f gtx for the past 10 years and feel the 600 will be a big step up in deep snow capability and fuel efficiency. Hopefully it will be just as reliable.
The new 600 EFI uses the same bottom end as the 600R, so it's designed to handle 125+ HP. Our engine is only 85HP, so, barring something crazy happening, it'll never fail. Overall, the Expedition Sport is exactly what I hopped: more serious than a Backcountry, but not as crazy as a Summit. Interestingly, the direct injection on the 600R gives it a better fuel efficiency rating. I really can't see a need for more power than the 600 EFI offers, but I may upgrade in the future for the fuel economy.
@@stephendbartlett All the best in 2021! You're going to love your new machine. The traction is staggering! When I first started riding the Expedition, I thought it was a bit tippy. But it's really not. Trust the suspension, shift your weight as necessary, and learn to edge the machine in powder. For reference, the Expedition is only 1.5 inches narrower than a trail sled, but is 6 inches wider than a mountain sled.
Great news (for me) mine is at the dealer now should get it early next week. We are looking forward to it; only 6 inches of snow but suppose to snow 5 or 6 more this week. Will keep you posted.
Nice! We have about the same amount of snow. Not really enough to ride yet. But that didn’t stop my son - he rode down to the beach and was ripping up and down the shoreline already! My Expy is in the shop getting the recall done right now…
Exped. Sport 600 EFI with a 2 inch lug track? Does this sound feasible - am looking to order a 2022 EXPEDITION SPORT 600 EFI, 502 lbs - GEN 4 (NARROW) but with an upgraded 2-inch lug track for riding out west in B.C. as feedback on this Expy sled is more traction is needed out west for hills and deeper snow (will avoid deep powder riding but hills, some deeper snow are unavoidable).
I don’t have any experience with lugs over 1.5”. I will say: this Expedition with 1.5” lug can start climbing a frighteningly steep incline, stop half way up, then just start climbing again. The climbing ability is staggering. However, we don’t have much snow accumulation this year - the stuff is little more than knee deep in most places. Power-wise, I don’t think there would be a problem with a 2” lug. The low gearing give it a surprising amount of torque below 80km/hr.
Enjoy your Videos. It would be good if you did a video on the 2 up feature of the snowmobile. How does the machine handle with a passenger? Is it alot colder for the passenger. Is the windshield adequate. Any insight on this? I currently have a yamaha venture 2 up and the passenger freezes as the wind swirls around and dumps directly on the passenger. I'm considering spring ordering. Your vids have me almost convinced!
Interesting. In very cold wether, at high speed (90km/hr +), I can feel the cold air on my back if I haven't worn enough layers. So, it stands to reason that a rear passenger would get the brunt of that cold air while riding 2-up. On the other hand, the 2-up seat's backrest would block most of that. One thing to consider is that I've replaced the factory Ultra High windshield with the High windshield (Ultra High didn't fit under my covered storage.) I'd recommend going with the optional rear heated handgrips (they're pretty cost effective, about $230 in Canada) and maybe the heated seat, if you really want to spoil your passenger.
My wife didn't feel like riding her own sled last weekend, so we put the backrest on the Expy and went out for 120kms riding 2-up. Temperature was pretty mild, about -5°C. She said she was *freezing* the whole time. She said the wind would wrap around behind me and would chill her from all angles. We stopped at one of the trail-side warming shacks and sat by the fire for 30 mins, maybe longer, for her to warm up. Said she's never riding 2-up for a long trip again. For the record, we were wearing the same brand of coat, gloves and boots. I was perfectly warm, as usual. I'm afraid there's no video on the way: I couldn't stop and ask her to wait while I set up the cams while she was so cold. Lesson: if you plan to ride 2-up for any distance, get a Grand Touring. The GT is a wide-body (my Expy is narrow-body) and the GT has unique features on the body to deflect wind around the rear passenger. The GT's rear handles are heated as standard and I think some trim levels include heated seats. At this point, as far as I'm concerned, the passenger seat on my Expy is a handy emergency seat in case another rider's sled is disabled.
Hey great video. Quick question, I just bought the new mxz sport with the same motor and when I’m cruising along speed limit (50km/h) my rpm is around 5000-5300. Is this normal for the 600efi and this clutch? Just wondering what yours is doing
I'll check the RPM at 50kph the next time I'm out, but it sounds about right. I was surprised at the high RPMs I was seeing at low speeds (~30kph.) Keep in mind, the MXZ Sport's chain drive is 23/45 (1.9:1) while the Expedition Sport has lower 21/49 (2.3:1) gearing, so the Expedition probably revs even higher than your MXZ! (Quick calculation indicates that if you're revving 5,000rpm at 50kph, I'll be just under 6,000 at the same speed, but nature of the belt drive may affect that calculation.) I've noticed that the Expedition accelerates like mad up to about 85kph, then the acceleration really tappers off. I haven't had any long stretches to find it's top speed, but the gauge cluster indicates that, at some point, I had reached 103kph. That's fast enough for me.
@@mop1471 thanks for the reply, ya let me know what your getting for rpm next time your out, I would imagine it’s normal(better be. Brand new sleds!!) cheers
tackdriverCA, I tried watching the RPM, but it's pretty variable. I tired to hold it at 5,000 RPM and my Expedition settled in around 43km/hr. Considering the different gearing, I'd say you 5k/50km/hr is about right.
Hey Clarke, I thought the articulated portion of the skid could be locked in the up position, but this is incorrect. According to the user manual, it can be left floating or locked in the down position for extra traction. There is an additional spring tension adjustment for changing the amount of downward pressure on the articulated portion, obviously only applicable when the lock is in the articulated position.
@@mop1471 that's for the response. I have a polaris voyageur with the same rear articulating track system. I was considering a trade if skidoo could allow the track to be kept up for better cornering. I find my long track hard to maneuver at times.
Just ran a test with the track in articulated mode and in locked down mode. When articulated, about one foot was shaved off the turning radius. Noticed no difference in handling on the trail. With the track locked down, it's providing more traction and acceleration than I had before (which was already a lot.) I'm leaving mine locked.
@@cgrizzwald7831 Jerry Hann Skidoo Utility Sled Ambassador recommends leaving the track in unlocked position unless pulling heavy loads. Always unlocked and not frozen when your stuck and need to reverse. No long track push in the corners when trail riding. I have the 2019 Expedition Sport 900 ACE.
I’d love to try a Backcountry Sport, back to back with the Expedition. Backcountry has a shorter track than Expedition, but it’s 50lbs lighter and geared higher. This winter, the Expedition easily drove through terrain that nobody thought a snowmobile could cross! Would be interesting to see how the other Sport models perform in those conditions.
My wife bought me the 61L cargo box. It's fantastic! I mean, apart from the price tag... Easy to remove. Simple to store a 5L fuel reserve inside, and enough space for a weekend trip!
It does not feel underpowered at all. Accelerates like hell. During the shots where the skis are lifting, I let off the throttle because I was scared I'd hit the camera sled. Rear suspension is great, really great over the rough stuff. Front is acceptable, but overall, on these unmaintained trails, my arms took a beating while my back didn't. As far as top speed goes, the sled is geared low. Here in Ontario, the on-trail speed limit is 50kph (30mph). Lakes don't have enough ice yet to do a speed run, but in one zip along a beach, the acceleration started to taper off around 90kph (~55mph). I don't think that's the top speed, because I only had a very short section to run, but the thing reached that speed in a matter of seconds.
I'm jealous of Quebec's variable speed limits - in Ontario, all trails are 50kph. No limit on lakes. And also of your snowfall: we've only had about 1 foot where I live, and I'm craving some serious snowfall so I can try this Expedition out in the deeper stuff. All of my recent experience has been with liquid-cooled Ski-Doo sleds, so a 550f wouldn't have been a consideration for me. Liquid cooled, fuel injected, seating for two and off-trail capability were requirements. A few years back, I had a weekend test ride on an MXZ with a 600 H.O. E-TEC. It was extremely fast, faster than I wanted in this sled. Partially because I have a teenager at home, partially because even I can't be trusted with that much speed! The following year, I had a Renegade Sport 600 Carb as a test unit, and this was much more to my taste. Unlike the MXZ, the Renegade could venture off the trail, had enough power to be a thrill, but wouldn't instantly reach triple-digit speeds like the MXZ. When it came time to buy, my dealer recommended a Backcountry with the 600R, then to add the 2-up seat and a taller windshield. By the time we added a few more accessories, I was questioning the value proposition and I didn't think the power of the 600R was necessary. Along came the Expedition Sport: Fuel Injected, Liquid Cooled, standard 2-up seat, proper windshield and a very long track. Almost like it was made for me! I'll report back regarding fuel economy once our maintained trails are open and I've done some long-distance trips.
@@mop1471 I live in newfoundland and we still have minimal snow. But that can change any day, LOL. How do you think it will handle breaking trails and hauling sleigh/ wood? I was originally considering the wide track 900 ace but am leaning more towards this sled . It seems to suit my needs for sure. Thanks again!
It's a matter of technique. The sled is geared low, and the clutch engages at a low engine speed. So, I'm able to get the clutch engaged and drive the sled smoothly at very low speed, like a walking pace. But, if I let off the throttle completely, the clutch will disengage and it can get a bit jerky when I apply throttle again to re-engage the clutch. The gauge cluster will show engine temperature in °C or in a bar graph. I haven't checked the precise temperature while riding, but in 0°C weather on plowed roads with extremely little snow, the bar graph never exceeded 50%, so I'm assuming cooling has been pretty well thought out. Note that this Expedition, with the 600 EFI engine, does not include the auxiliary radiator which comes standard on other Expedition trim levels. Regarding towing, the machine is equipped as standard with a tow hitch, so I'd expect that Ski-Doo have done testing while towing. Now that I have a bit of experience with this sled, I wouldn't hesitate to tow a load, but I would keep an eye on the temperature gauge, especially if it were a heavy load. I was looking for a fun, capable sled for both on-trail and off-trail riding. If I were looking for something specifically to tow heavy loads, I would lean toward the 4-stroke ACE models with geared transmissions and high / low range. I don't think deep snow performance or trail breaking will be a problem, but I don't have any deep snow yet to test that out! The day I received the sled from my dealer, I towed it 100kms to a neighbouring city with more snow (about 18" of powder.) When stopped, the powder was up to the hood, well above the bumper. Getting the sled moving again was no problem at all, the sled didn't even know the powder was there!
Factory settings. I believe it's set to the lowest preload everywhere. I left the rear articulated section in the 'locked' position all winter. Only problem I ran into was riding with a full load of luggage & supplies, I had to pick up a stranded rider and it was too much weight / sled would bottom out if I'd hit a bump at moderate speed. Planning a full suspension adjustment series next winter.
i oredered mine in mid november and its still not here yet. so cool so see a video of the machine i am getting. i am getting a little impatient already!!!!!!!!! what kind of speed are you getting our of it so far. has it gone some balls or is it a dog??
Hey man I have the backcountry sport 600efi and it is a very powerful machine I reached 140km on the lake and it is a different type but same engine, thing is a beast!
Be patient, you're going to love it! I ordered mine in early October for a mid November delivery. Everything was delayed and mine arrived at the shop Dec 24, on one of three transport trucks full of sleds. I offered the boys in the shop a bottle of scotch if they built mine first. It worked - mine was ready by noon! Power: it's geared low and has massive traction, so the acceleration is unbelievable from low speeds. I mean almost scary. Acceleration up to 85km/hr is very, very brisk, but tapers off after that. I haven't done a top speed run because the local lakes aren't safe yet, but I've 'accidentally' hit 102km/hr according to the gauge cluster's 'max speed' reading. Now, if you're used to the 165hp 850R, this 600EFI probably won't feel too quick. But if, like me, you've typically ridden smaller sleds, then the 600EFI will impress.
Glad to hear you're loving your Backcountry! How's the CMotion rear suspension? I was really torn between the Expedition Sport and Backcountry Sport. Personally, I decided on the Expedition because of the slightly longer track and the standard 2-up seat. Your Backcountry is about 55lbs lighter than the Expedition and is geared very slightly higher, so I'm not expecting to see 140km/hr, but I'm happy so far!
It’s the “Ski-Doo Cargo Box - 62L”, part number 860201634. At the moment, I don’t see it listed on the Ski-Doo website, but it’s the standard trunk on the Grand Touring, so I can’t imagine it’s been discontinued.
For 2022, I think all the Expeditions are wide-body (for 2021, the Sport 600EFI got the narrow body.) It's not clear to me if the tunnel is any different between wide and narrow body Ski-Doos. Regardless, I'm sure Ski-Doo makes the LinQ accessories fit both.
600 ACE is a 60hp 4-stroke. It’ll be relatively quiet, will last forever and will need annual oil changes. 600 EFI is an 85hp 2-stroke. Noisier, no annual oil change but needs 2-stroke oil, won’t last as long as 4-stroke, more power.
It interferes with the 2-up seat, but I'm working on a fix for that (will YT it if it works.) Other than that, just remember that the cargo box lid wasn't designed for that amount of weight on top, so take it easy while that fuel caddy is full.
More to come! Next video will be "Rear Passenger Heat Grip Installation". More work than I was expecting... And it's be sponsored by FLIR, so we'll see the grips heat up through the lens of their newest FLIR One Edge PRO thermal imager!
hi I am looking at this machine 2022 model; never owned a machine; for fishing and a little trail riding; don't have a trailer would put it in the back of my truck; I was also looking at the 550 indy LXT 144; would appreciate your thoughts; nice video
My interest is limited to Canadian-made Ski-Doo models. I drove a Yamaha recently, but no other brands in recent history, so I can't speak to any comparison between the Ski-Doo and Polaris. If you were planning to do trails exclusively, I'd direct you to a Renegade. But since you might be travelling unmaintained terrain reaching your ice hut, and probably want a straightforward ride, the Expedition is the right choice. I can say that I've been very happy with the Expedition Sport 600 EFI. It never gets stuck, power is great (I honestly don't know why people would want more acceleration that this machine offers), fuel economy is good for a snowmobile and you can't deny the overall excellent value. I strongly recommend spending the extra few bucks on ice scratchers, if only for peace of mind. Lin-Q accessories are overpriced, but I keep buying them because they're so damn convenient. The heated visor plug is an optional accessory, but it's really inexpensive and works great with the Ski-Doo BV2S helmet. And I really like the glovebox extension with heated cell phone holder. Let us know what the 2022 is like!
@@robm9581 Personally, I'm contemplating ordering another 600 EFI to replace an older machine. Apparently, if the order is placed this month, there's a whole bunch of perks to pick from, including $1,000 in free accessories or no-charge extended warranty.
Last year, I had a few overheat alarms. During the pre-season maintenance, I noticed that my coolant reservoir was very low, so I talked with my dealer. They suspect I had an air bubble trapped in the cooling system, which worked its way into the reservoir. I topped it up, got the recall done (which included an ECU reflash) and it hasn't been close to overheating since.
FYI The Expedition 900 ACE cost $100 for oil change kit + $50 to have it changed. The 2-stoke 600 EFI is a simpler and cheaper engine to purchase and maintain. IMHO as a ACE 900 Expedition owner. ACE 900 is not simple to service.
Thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to making a 'seasonal service' video where we can all find out what's involved in servicing the 600 EFI. I suspect it's not too bad.
@@bobkimmcdonald6171 Between the ice scratchers and learning to manage the engine temperature, it's no longer a problem. But it does require attention when riding in low-snow, or no-snow conditions.
Yes, it has Ski-Doo's 'RER' reverse. Once started, you just turn the key again, and then it's in reverse! I think all of the 600 EFI models have reverse.
A 900 ACE won’t have RER reverse. The 900 ACE is a 4-stroke and RER is only available on 2-strokes. However, the 900 ACE will likely have a reverse gear that you can select with a lever near the chain case.
We got Lynx here in Canada this year, but only top-of-the-range models. I can tell that BRP instructed reviewers to differentiate Lynx from Ski-Doo, even though they appear to be extremely similar.
Just picked my expedition yesterday. this morning i took if for its maiden voyage..very impressed this little 600 efi i dont belive is 85 hp. i think its more than that. on a lake today under less than ideal conditions i had my sled up to 137 km/hr!!!!! amazing sled . i thought it would be a dog with 85 hp and 154 track..boy was i wrong.. people looking at 2021 skidoos should not be fooled by the 85 hp .skidoo is onto something with this amazing motor..rock on skidoo!!!!!!
I agree 100%. My only fear is these new 'Sport' models perform so well, and are such a great value they'll eat into sales of the more expensive models, forcing Ski-Doo to further de-tune them in the future.
I haven't done a speed run on mine yet. Do you think 137 is the top speed, or is it just the speed you happened to reach?
We don't have enough snow for me to make another action video of the sled right now, so I made an instructional explaining how to remove and reinstall the upper bodywork. I was a bit intimidated by the process at first, but now I can do it in a few minutes.
czcams.com/video/qsRA-84wsU0/video.html
Wonderful review, really fun video to watch this morning by the fire with a cupOjoe! Thanks for putting it together!
Thanks Doug! Make sure to subscribe: planning to film some snowmobile adventures this winter!
Thanks for the review. I have the same sled but haven’t been able to try it yet due the lack of snow in the area. I have owned a 2007 550f gtx for the past 10 years and feel the 600 will be a big step up in deep snow capability and fuel efficiency. Hopefully it will be just as reliable.
The new 600 EFI uses the same bottom end as the 600R, so it's designed to handle 125+ HP. Our engine is only 85HP, so, barring something crazy happening, it'll never fail. Overall, the Expedition Sport is exactly what I hopped: more serious than a Backcountry, but not as crazy as a Summit.
Interestingly, the direct injection on the 600R gives it a better fuel efficiency rating. I really can't see a need for more power than the 600 EFI offers, but I may upgrade in the future for the fuel economy.
@@mop1471 I think it’ll be a great sled overall. Now, if it would only snow!
Happy new year!
@@stephendbartlett All the best in 2021!
You're going to love your new machine. The traction is staggering!
When I first started riding the Expedition, I thought it was a bit tippy. But it's really not. Trust the suspension, shift your weight as necessary, and learn to edge the machine in powder.
For reference, the Expedition is only 1.5 inches narrower than a trail sled, but is 6 inches wider than a mountain sled.
I may need one of these sleds now, thanks!
These 600 EFIs are a great value! I’m very pleased with mine!
Great news (for me) mine is at the dealer now should get it early next week. We are looking forward to it; only 6 inches of snow but suppose to snow 5 or 6 more this week. Will keep you posted.
Nice! We have about the same amount of snow. Not really enough to ride yet. But that didn’t stop my son - he rode down to the beach and was ripping up and down the shoreline already! My Expy is in the shop getting the recall done right now…
@@mop1471 what was the recall; was there last weekend for hockey tourney. AE sure has a nice new shop
Recall is a replacement vent over the muffler. The new vent is covered in a foil tape on the bottom. Apparently, there was an ECU refresh as well.
Exped. Sport 600 EFI with a 2 inch lug track? Does this sound feasible - am looking to order a 2022 EXPEDITION SPORT 600 EFI, 502 lbs - GEN 4 (NARROW) but with an upgraded 2-inch lug track for riding out west in B.C. as feedback on this Expy sled is more traction is needed out west for hills and deeper snow (will avoid deep powder riding but hills, some deeper snow are unavoidable).
I don’t have any experience with lugs over 1.5”. I will say: this Expedition with 1.5” lug can start climbing a frighteningly steep incline, stop half way up, then just start climbing again. The climbing ability is staggering. However, we don’t have much snow accumulation this year - the stuff is little more than knee deep in most places.
Power-wise, I don’t think there would be a problem with a 2” lug. The low gearing give it a surprising amount of torque below 80km/hr.
Enjoy your Videos. It would be good if you did a video on the 2 up feature of the snowmobile. How does the machine handle with a passenger? Is it alot colder for the passenger. Is the windshield adequate. Any insight on this? I currently have a yamaha venture 2 up and the passenger freezes as the wind swirls around and dumps directly on the passenger. I'm considering spring ordering. Your vids have me almost convinced!
Interesting. In very cold wether, at high speed (90km/hr +), I can feel the cold air on my back if I haven't worn enough layers. So, it stands to reason that a rear passenger would get the brunt of that cold air while riding 2-up. On the other hand, the 2-up seat's backrest would block most of that. One thing to consider is that I've replaced the factory Ultra High windshield with the High windshield (Ultra High didn't fit under my covered storage.)
I'd recommend going with the optional rear heated handgrips (they're pretty cost effective, about $230 in Canada) and maybe the heated seat, if you really want to spoil your passenger.
My wife didn't feel like riding her own sled last weekend, so we put the backrest on the Expy and went out for 120kms riding 2-up. Temperature was pretty mild, about -5°C. She said she was *freezing* the whole time. She said the wind would wrap around behind me and would chill her from all angles. We stopped at one of the trail-side warming shacks and sat by the fire for 30 mins, maybe longer, for her to warm up. Said she's never riding 2-up for a long trip again.
For the record, we were wearing the same brand of coat, gloves and boots. I was perfectly warm, as usual.
I'm afraid there's no video on the way: I couldn't stop and ask her to wait while I set up the cams while she was so cold.
Lesson: if you plan to ride 2-up for any distance, get a Grand Touring. The GT is a wide-body (my Expy is narrow-body) and the GT has unique features on the body to deflect wind around the rear passenger. The GT's rear handles are heated as standard and I think some trim levels include heated seats.
At this point, as far as I'm concerned, the passenger seat on my Expy is a handy emergency seat in case another rider's sled is disabled.
Hey great video. Quick question, I just bought the new mxz sport with the same motor and when I’m cruising along speed limit (50km/h) my rpm is around 5000-5300. Is this normal for the 600efi and this clutch? Just wondering what yours is doing
I'll check the RPM at 50kph the next time I'm out, but it sounds about right. I was surprised at the high RPMs I was seeing at low speeds (~30kph.)
Keep in mind, the MXZ Sport's chain drive is 23/45 (1.9:1) while the Expedition Sport has lower 21/49 (2.3:1) gearing, so the Expedition probably revs even higher than your MXZ! (Quick calculation indicates that if you're revving 5,000rpm at 50kph, I'll be just under 6,000 at the same speed, but nature of the belt drive may affect that calculation.)
I've noticed that the Expedition accelerates like mad up to about 85kph, then the acceleration really tappers off. I haven't had any long stretches to find it's top speed, but the gauge cluster indicates that, at some point, I had reached 103kph. That's fast enough for me.
@@mop1471 thanks for the reply, ya let me know what your getting for rpm next time your out, I would imagine it’s normal(better be. Brand new sleds!!) cheers
tackdriverCA, I tried watching the RPM, but it's pretty variable. I tired to hold it at 5,000 RPM and my Expedition settled in around 43km/hr. Considering the different gearing, I'd say you 5k/50km/hr is about right.
@@mop1471 are you still in break in mode? I read the engine doesn't run optimal until after break in mode?
Yeah, it runs rich during break-in. A new top-speed vid will follow in better conditions and after break-in.
It it possible to lock the rear part of the track up to help with steering in lower snow conditions?
Hey Clarke, I thought the articulated portion of the skid could be locked in the up position, but this is incorrect. According to the user manual, it can be left floating or locked in the down position for extra traction. There is an additional spring tension adjustment for changing the amount of downward pressure on the articulated portion, obviously only applicable when the lock is in the articulated position.
@@mop1471 that's for the response. I have a polaris voyageur with the same rear articulating track system. I was considering a trade if skidoo could allow the track to be kept up for better cornering. I find my long track hard to maneuver at times.
Just ran a test with the track in articulated mode and in locked down mode. When articulated, about one foot was shaved off the turning radius. Noticed no difference in handling on the trail. With the track locked down, it's providing more traction and acceleration than I had before (which was already a lot.) I'm leaving mine locked.
@@cgrizzwald7831 Jerry Hann Skidoo Utility Sled Ambassador recommends leaving the track in unlocked position unless pulling heavy loads. Always unlocked and not frozen when your stuck and need to reverse. No long track push in the corners when trail riding. I have the 2019 Expedition Sport 900 ACE.
Great video! This sled is more of a utility sled but the backcountry is in no way a trail sled and is better in deep snow than this one in my opinion
I’d love to try a Backcountry Sport, back to back with the Expedition. Backcountry has a shorter track than Expedition, but it’s 50lbs lighter and geared higher. This winter, the Expedition easily drove through terrain that nobody thought a snowmobile could cross! Would be interesting to see how the other Sport models perform in those conditions.
I have the same sled and am looking to get that linq storage compartment. How do you like it? Pros and cons? Thanks
My wife bought me the 61L cargo box. It's fantastic! I mean, apart from the price tag... Easy to remove. Simple to store a 5L fuel reserve inside, and enough space for a weekend trip!
The price!!!! Lol
Nice review!
Does it feel under powered at all? Also, how is the sc-5 suspension on bumps? Any estimates on top speed of the sled? Thanks!!
It does not feel underpowered at all. Accelerates like hell. During the shots where the skis are lifting, I let off the throttle because I was scared I'd hit the camera sled. Rear suspension is great, really great over the rough stuff. Front is acceptable, but overall, on these unmaintained trails, my arms took a beating while my back didn't. As far as top speed goes, the sled is geared low. Here in Ontario, the on-trail speed limit is 50kph (30mph). Lakes don't have enough ice yet to do a speed run, but in one zip along a beach, the acceleration started to taper off around 90kph (~55mph). I don't think that's the top speed, because I only had a very short section to run, but the thing reached that speed in a matter of seconds.
Is the clutch smooth on engagement? I believe it engages at 2400 rpm? Is there any sign of possible overheating in low snow conditions?
Thanks!!
I'm jealous of Quebec's variable speed limits - in Ontario, all trails are 50kph. No limit on lakes. And also of your snowfall: we've only had about 1 foot where I live, and I'm craving some serious snowfall so I can try this Expedition out in the deeper stuff.
All of my recent experience has been with liquid-cooled Ski-Doo sleds, so a 550f wouldn't have been a consideration for me. Liquid cooled, fuel injected, seating for two and off-trail capability were requirements.
A few years back, I had a weekend test ride on an MXZ with a 600 H.O. E-TEC. It was extremely fast, faster than I wanted in this sled. Partially because I have a teenager at home, partially because even I can't be trusted with that much speed! The following year, I had a Renegade Sport 600 Carb as a test unit, and this was much more to my taste. Unlike the MXZ, the Renegade could venture off the trail, had enough power to be a thrill, but wouldn't instantly reach triple-digit speeds like the MXZ.
When it came time to buy, my dealer recommended a Backcountry with the 600R, then to add the 2-up seat and a taller windshield. By the time we added a few more accessories, I was questioning the value proposition and I didn't think the power of the 600R was necessary. Along came the Expedition Sport: Fuel Injected, Liquid Cooled, standard 2-up seat, proper windshield and a very long track. Almost like it was made for me!
I'll report back regarding fuel economy once our maintained trails are open and I've done some long-distance trips.
@@mop1471 I live in newfoundland and we still have minimal snow. But that can change any day, LOL. How do you think it will handle breaking trails and hauling sleigh/ wood? I was originally considering the wide track 900 ace but am leaning more towards this sled . It seems to suit my needs for sure. Thanks again!
It's a matter of technique. The sled is geared low, and the clutch engages at a low engine speed. So, I'm able to get the clutch engaged and drive the sled smoothly at very low speed, like a walking pace. But, if I let off the throttle completely, the clutch will disengage and it can get a bit jerky when I apply throttle again to re-engage the clutch.
The gauge cluster will show engine temperature in °C or in a bar graph. I haven't checked the precise temperature while riding, but in 0°C weather on plowed roads with extremely little snow, the bar graph never exceeded 50%, so I'm assuming cooling has been pretty well thought out. Note that this Expedition, with the 600 EFI engine, does not include the auxiliary radiator which comes standard on other Expedition trim levels.
Regarding towing, the machine is equipped as standard with a tow hitch, so I'd expect that Ski-Doo have done testing while towing. Now that I have a bit of experience with this sled, I wouldn't hesitate to tow a load, but I would keep an eye on the temperature gauge, especially if it were a heavy load. I was looking for a fun, capable sled for both on-trail and off-trail riding. If I were looking for something specifically to tow heavy loads, I would lean toward the 4-stroke ACE models with geared transmissions and high / low range.
I don't think deep snow performance or trail breaking will be a problem, but I don't have any deep snow yet to test that out! The day I received the sled from my dealer, I towed it 100kms to a neighbouring city with more snow (about 18" of powder.) When stopped, the powder was up to the hood, well above the bumper. Getting the sled moving again was no problem at all, the sled didn't even know the powder was there!
Do you mind sharing what your suspension settings are set at?
Factory settings. I believe it's set to the lowest preload everywhere. I left the rear articulated section in the 'locked' position all winter. Only problem I ran into was riding with a full load of luggage & supplies, I had to pick up a stranded rider and it was too much weight / sled would bottom out if I'd hit a bump at moderate speed.
Planning a full suspension adjustment series next winter.
How would this ride be in 40 below weather is like a E-Tec ???
My coldest ride so far was -30°C. Machine ran fine, no problem at all. But my cheap winter coat left me feeling a bit chilly!
Can you do one where you can take off or change the snowflap?
Good idea!
i oredered mine in mid november and its still not here yet. so cool so see a video of the machine i am getting. i am getting a little impatient already!!!!!!!!! what kind of speed are you getting our of it so far. has it gone some balls or is it a dog??
Hey man I have the backcountry sport 600efi and it is a very powerful machine I reached 140km on the lake and it is a different type but same engine, thing is a beast!
Be patient, you're going to love it!
I ordered mine in early October for a mid November delivery. Everything was delayed and mine arrived at the shop Dec 24, on one of three transport trucks full of sleds. I offered the boys in the shop a bottle of scotch if they built mine first. It worked - mine was ready by noon!
Power: it's geared low and has massive traction, so the acceleration is unbelievable from low speeds. I mean almost scary. Acceleration up to 85km/hr is very, very brisk, but tapers off after that. I haven't done a top speed run because the local lakes aren't safe yet, but I've 'accidentally' hit 102km/hr according to the gauge cluster's 'max speed' reading.
Now, if you're used to the 165hp 850R, this 600EFI probably won't feel too quick. But if, like me, you've typically ridden smaller sleds, then the 600EFI will impress.
Glad to hear you're loving your Backcountry! How's the CMotion rear suspension?
I was really torn between the Expedition Sport and Backcountry Sport. Personally, I decided on the Expedition because of the slightly longer track and the standard 2-up seat.
Your Backcountry is about 55lbs lighter than the Expedition and is geared very slightly higher, so I'm not expecting to see 140km/hr, but I'm happy so far!
What size is that Linq storage box? Want to get one just like it
It’s the “Ski-Doo Cargo Box - 62L”, part number 860201634. At the moment, I don’t see it listed on the Ski-Doo website, but it’s the standard trunk on the Grand Touring, so I can’t imagine it’s been discontinued.
Ok. Thank you. Just bought a Expedition Sport 900 Ace. It should be the same width as that EFI huh?
For 2022, I think all the Expeditions are wide-body (for 2021, the Sport 600EFI got the narrow body.) It's not clear to me if the tunnel is any different between wide and narrow body Ski-Doos. Regardless, I'm sure Ski-Doo makes the LinQ accessories fit both.
What’s the difference between 600 ace and 600 efi?
600 ACE is a 60hp 4-stroke. It’ll be relatively quiet, will last forever and will need annual oil changes. 600 EFI is an 85hp 2-stroke. Noisier, no annual oil change but needs 2-stroke oil, won’t last as long as 4-stroke, more power.
Is the tunnel on your Expedition raw aluminum or is it painted gray?
Raw aluminum. Fancier models have painted tunnels, but the 'Sport' trim are bare metal.
@@mop1471 Have you had any issues with the fuel can mounted on top of the box? I’m needing to do the same.
It interferes with the 2-up seat, but I'm working on a fix for that (will YT it if it works.) Other than that, just remember that the cargo box lid wasn't designed for that amount of weight on top, so take it easy while that fuel caddy is full.
@@mop1471 yeah I decided against it for that reason. Thanks for your videos. A lot of good info and helped to me make my purchase.
More to come! Next video will be "Rear Passenger Heat Grip Installation". More work than I was expecting... And it's be sponsored by FLIR, so we'll see the grips heat up through the lens of their newest FLIR One Edge PRO thermal imager!
hi I am looking at this machine 2022 model; never owned a machine; for fishing and a little trail riding; don't have a trailer would put it in the back of my truck; I was also looking at the 550 indy LXT 144; would appreciate your thoughts; nice video
My interest is limited to Canadian-made Ski-Doo models. I drove a Yamaha recently, but no other brands in recent history, so I can't speak to any comparison between the Ski-Doo and Polaris.
If you were planning to do trails exclusively, I'd direct you to a Renegade. But since you might be travelling unmaintained terrain reaching your ice hut, and probably want a straightforward ride, the Expedition is the right choice.
I can say that I've been very happy with the Expedition Sport 600 EFI. It never gets stuck, power is great (I honestly don't know why people would want more acceleration that this machine offers), fuel economy is good for a snowmobile and you can't deny the overall excellent value.
I strongly recommend spending the extra few bucks on ice scratchers, if only for peace of mind. Lin-Q accessories are overpriced, but I keep buying them because they're so damn convenient. The heated visor plug is an optional accessory, but it's really inexpensive and works great with the Ski-Doo BV2S helmet. And I really like the glovebox extension with heated cell phone holder.
Let us know what the 2022 is like!
@@mop1471 ok thank you; if i do buy it wont be here until next fall; nothing available anywhere any brand
@@robm9581 Personally, I'm contemplating ordering another 600 EFI to replace an older machine. Apparently, if the order is placed this month, there's a whole bunch of perks to pick from, including $1,000 in free accessories or no-charge extended warranty.
@@mop1471 yes i see that preorder thing with all companies; have till end of march for skidoo
@@mop1471 i just went there today, only 3 yr warranty, no 1k options
I like the sled but I think the 600 ace is my choice
I have a buddy who swears by his 600 ACE. I’m sure it would be a great machine!
Anyone having problems with there coolant ? Not spitting or flowing 🙄
Last year, I had a few overheat alarms. During the pre-season maintenance, I noticed that my coolant reservoir was very low, so I talked with my dealer. They suspect I had an air bubble trapped in the cooling system, which worked its way into the reservoir. I topped it up, got the recall done (which included an ECU reflash) and it hasn't been close to overheating since.
FYI The Expedition 900 ACE cost $100 for oil change kit + $50 to have it changed. The 2-stoke 600 EFI is a simpler and cheaper engine to purchase and maintain. IMHO as a ACE 900 Expedition owner. ACE 900 is not simple to service.
Thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to making a 'seasonal service' video where we can all find out what's involved in servicing the 600 EFI. I suspect it's not too bad.
@@mop1471 Did you fix the over heating issues? That would be a deal breaker for me.
@@bobkimmcdonald6171 Between the ice scratchers and learning to manage the engine temperature, it's no longer a problem. But it does require attention when riding in low-snow, or no-snow conditions.
Does this skidoo have reverse?
Yes, it has Ski-Doo's 'RER' reverse. Once started, you just turn the key again, and then it's in reverse! I think all of the 600 EFI models have reverse.
Awesome. My fathers in laws skidoo didn't have the switch like the 900 ace. Going to try it tomorrow
A 900 ACE won’t have RER reverse. The 900 ACE is a 4-stroke and RER is only available on 2-strokes. However, the 900 ACE will likely have a reverse gear that you can select with a lever near the chain case.
Wish they sold that model in norway
Wish I could send you one! Do you have Lynx in Norway?
@@mop1471 yes, the rear skid on lynxes are not as good then skidoo
We got Lynx here in Canada this year, but only top-of-the-range models. I can tell that BRP instructed reviewers to differentiate Lynx from Ski-Doo, even though they appear to be extremely similar.